No. 20.] THE BIRDS OF CONNECTICUT. 43 



a tree over the water. I carefully examined it with a good glass, 

 at a distance of about one hundred and fifty yards, and by this 

 means was enabled to note every detail of form and color. It was 

 in full plumage, the white being pure, and the naked skin about 

 the head bright red. After watching it for a few moments I tried 

 to approach it, but before I came within gunshot it flew, uttering 

 a hoarse cackle as it went ofT." 



Plegadis autumnalis (Linnaeus). Glossy Ibis. 



Linsley obtained five specimens at Stratford. 1 



The only other record is that of Dr. J. Barratt 2 of Middletown, 

 who wrote in the Middletown Sentinel and Witness for May 21, 

 1850, that " One of these rare birds (Ibis falcinella) was shot in 

 Middletown on the banks of the Connecticut, May 9th, time of 

 high flood. It has been carefully preserved and is now in the 

 cabinet of Dr. J. Barratt." He adds, " The Ibis falcinella is very 

 rarely seen in the United States. This is the first that has come 

 to our notice on the Connecticut, and has not been known in this 

 country many years." Since this article appeared, the specimen 

 has been presented to the Wesleyan University Museum, [Middle- 

 town, and is in good condition. 



On page 92 in the copy of Nuttall's Manual (Water Birds) 

 owned by Dr. Barratt, is the following marginal note in his hand- 

 writing: "My specimen, 28 inches, May, 1850. J. Barratt." 

 (J. H. S.). 



Suborder HERODII. Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, etc. 

 Family ARDEID^. Herons, Bitterns, etc. 

 Subfamily Botaurin^e. Bitterns. 



Botaurus lentiginosus (Montagu). Bittern. 



A common fall and less common spring migrant; rare sum- 

 mer resident. Most common during September and October, and 

 April. 



Fall migration. Earliest record. New Haven, Aug. 27, 1895 ; 

 Portland, Sept. 14, 1892. Latest record. New Haven, Nov. 2, 

 1903 ; Portland, Oct. 24, 1890. 



1 Merriam, Birds of Conn., p. no. 



2 This specimen is also recorded in Merriam, p. no, and by J. H. S. in the Auk, 

 iv, 3, pp. 253-4. 



